Update...

So I'll post about my birthday boys adventures maybe sometime tomorrow..but for now it's late and I'm tired. Just thought I'd give a brief update of what's been going on. Last week, during ANOTHER ER visit, I was referred to the urologist on call at the hospital. He chose to try a Lasix Renal Scan of my kidney (something that up to that point no one had considered). A blockage of sorts was found so he opted to put in a nephrostomy tube. Basically it's a small catheter that runs through my back into a small bag I have attached to my leg (lovely eh?). So far, it's been GREAT! I actually feel normal again (despite the fact I have this thing coming out my back and attached to my leg). I did go to the ER again last Sunday (what is it with Sundays?) because I was in a TERRIBLE amount of pain. Aparently, there was a kink in my tube which caused a bacterial infection...However, once the kink was out, and I was put on antibiotics, I've felt pretty good! The only other thing I've noticed is, I can't keep a lot down. I've been getting REALLY sick for the past 10 days or so... I'll be fine one minute, and in the bathroom over the toilet the next. Don't know if it's all related or not... (for those of you who are wondering.. NO, I'M NOT PREGNANT!!!-Plenty of tests have ruled that out!) Tomorrow morning I go in to have the nephrostomy tube internalized. I don't really know too much about the procedure other than they'll basically go through my back to insert a tube from my kidney to my bladder. It's actually pretty common. I'm guessing I'll have it in for several weeks while everything heals. Lets just HOPE this will do the trick!!! For now, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! Life is good but it's about to get better!! Until next time...

Drama...

So when my show aires on "Mystery Diagnosis" I'll be sure to take you all to Disney World! :) Without going into too much graphic detail, here's the scoop: About 2 months ago, I woke up to some unusual things going on. I wasn't in pain, but thought "Hey, that's weird" so I went to the Dr. to see what they thought. I was treated for a UTI and sent on my way. 10 days later after I had finished the antibiotic, the symptoms were still present so I went back. My Dr. (who I love!) scratched her head, said she's never seen anything like it, and refered me to a Urologist. After meeting with the Urologist, he too scratched his head and told me that in 18 years he's never seen anything like it. A bladder scope showed that whatever it was, it was coming from my left kidney. The strange thing was, I had NO infection, my blood and urine tests/cultures all came back NORMAL. I was sent for a CT scan that also came back NORMAL. I then underwent a kidney scope which showed NOTHING... ZERO...ZIP. That's when the fun started... after my 2nd scope, the Urologist placed a stent to keep the area open just in case I did have a stone or something to allow it to pass through. I have NEVER felt so much discomfort and pain as I did during the 10 days I had the stent, or so I thought... When the Dr. removed the stent, the nurse said I should be feeling back to normal wthin a few hours... NOT! I THOUGHT I knew what pain felt like... but the first 2-3 days preceeding the removal was UNBEARABLE... It's gotten better over time, but I still have "attacks" that come out of nowhere. I'll be feeling fine one minute and doubled over the next. I went to the ER Sunday night (the 2nd time I've been to the ER) for a fever and pain attacks averaging every 5-10 minutes. I was admitted and stayed through Tues. night. I saw 6 Dr.'s including a Nephrologist (kidney specialist) who all scratched their heads in wonderment. The latest CT scan shows some swelling in the kidney, but that's likely from the stent and will eventually subside on it's own (or with medication). I wasn't impressed AT ALL by the Nephroligist who spent a total of 10 minutes talking over my head... so I will be seeing a new Dr. in the upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, my general Dr. is great and is working hard to find SOMEONE who can help figure this out. I'm on a good dose of pain med. that I try and only take when I absolutely need it, and I'm appreciating more than ever the moments I feel good and can play on the floor with my boys. I have faith, that in time, this will all work itself out. I'm just grateful for the prayers of others, the support of my good husband, decent insurance and the knowledge that "This too, shall pass."

Random Pics....

Estin's new found fun in the sun... driving his trains through mountains of snow! (ok... so it's really a load of flour dumped on a cookie sheet) :)

He's getting big! Finger foods and all!

Look at those cheeks!!! I just wanna kiss 'em all the time!

Justin built this table for the Girls Camp Auction. I LOVE being married to a handy man!!!

General Conference...

How grateful I am for a living Prophet of God to guide and direct His people. God loves us and wants us to know His will, He has not left us to walk in darkness, He has blessed us with a latter-day Prophet as in times of old. I KNOW President Thomas S. Monson is a TRUE Prophet of God. How grateful I feel to live in a time that allows my family and I to "sit at his feet" and hear the words of the Lord.

General Conference Weekend....

Saturday, in an effort to actually LISTEN to General Conference, we took a LONG drive to Heber (ok it didn't take too long) to the train depot. We got to listen in peace (mostly) as we drove. Estin was so excited to see the "Big steam trains and locomotives" and we picked up Thomas the Train tickets for Estin's bday (shhh!). What a fun day!

We stopped at Dairy Keen... the train restaurant for lunch. Of course, Estin couldn't get enough!

Easter 2010...

Easter was nice this year, but a little uneventful. I've been really sick as of late so although my heart was ready and willing, my body was not. Needless to say, we kept things pretty simple (we still have a dozen hard boiled eggs in our fridge waiting to be colored!)

I missed the egg hunt (sick :() but Justin was kind enough to tape it for me to enjoy later!

Justin's 31st Birthday...

Happy Birthday Babe!!!

Estin was excited to help daddy open his presents!

I found a recipe for Jamaican Tastee Patties. Justin said they were just like the real deal!

Justin and his twin brother, Jordan

Jarom's Wedding...

My nephew, Jarom and his beautiful bride, Aleena. Congratulations!!!

Payback time! When Justin and I were married, Jarom lovingly drew an elephants backside on our car... we finally got to return the favor!

Eli's First Haircut...

7 months old (when this was done) and way past due for a haircut! (3" inches high) Justin's been trying to get me to cut it for awhile but I didn't want my baby to grow up too soon... oh well....ready or not!

Isn't he so handsome! He went from baby to little man almost instantly!

Eli Loves Nectarines!

Tickle Me Eli...

Eli's Bells

Our Christmas bell ringer is getting SO big!

Mr. Smarty Pants...

Estin's Birdhouse...

Today we made a birdhouse together. Estin always watches the neighbors birds that flock around their birdhouse, so we decided to make one of our own. We went to D.I. and found one that was already painted. I took it home and spray painted it white so Estin could make it his own. I added a small box in front to hold the seed. Estin can't wait for the birds to find it!

What Cuties!!!

The BEST Time Of The Year...

I LOVE VALENTINES DAY!!! I love the candy conversation hearts, the homemade mailboxes full of heartfelt sentiments. I love the pink and the red; I love seeing roses and flowers and chocolates and teddy bears. I LOVE it ALL!!! It's exciting that Estin is getting to an age to actually enjoy the festivities too... Feb. 14th the Love Bug came and left presents!!!

Just chillin' out with his new train whistle (after an obvious lunch of chicken nuggets & ketchup! :))

When Justin was a boy, his grandma had a Cracker Dog. He's spoken of it often, and try as I may, I've looked and looked to find one for him. Well as luck would have it, the week before valentines day while shopping at D.I. my mother-in-law found one for me!!! I was SO excited!!! Justin's reaction was priceless.

My BEAUTIFUL flowers from MY love bug!!!

Valentines Adult Dinner...

Every year Justin's family has an adult only dinner. It's a favorite of mine because we get to have adult conversation...UNINTERUPTED!!! :) Each year we switch...the women decorate a table and the men prepare the menu or vise versa. This year I had a lot of fun coming up with an 'Alice in Wonderland' theme... funny enough my sister-in-law, who's married to Jusitn's twin, also came up with Alice in Wonderland! :)

Justin's on the right ;)

Tender Mercies...

I just wanted to share an experience Justin and I had this week that reminded us that Heavenly Father is very aware of each of us... As many of you know, since Justin went back to school we have been on a pretty tight budget. We've been living off of the "envelope system" from month to month to stay on track. Several weeks ago I thought I had given Justin our envelope with our remaining tithing money. It held 2 more months worth of tithing to be paid in Jan. and Feb. Well, needless to say, it was NOWHERE to be found! With January's tithing coming due, we decided to go ahead and take money from another bill to pay our tithing so it wouldn't go unpaid...this left us short for other expenses. I knew that Heavenly Father knew our circumstances and would bless us for our efforts...however, since he knew, it never even occurred to me to pray and ASK him to help us find the envelope. Well, things were getting tighter financially and finally out of desperation I thought maybe I should pray and physically ask for help. After getting up off my knees I went directly to the closet to search Justin's suit pocket for the 50th time. Still I found nothing. After deciding to go downstairs to check the coat closet, I stopped to pick up an empty mug sitting on my nightstand to take with me to wash. As I picked it up I moved the book it was sitting on, and THERE WAS THE ENVELOPE!! Talk about a QUICK and DIRECT answer to prayer! I learned or was reminded that... Heavenly Father does loves us and is mindful of our needs but often times He needs us to do our part and ask for what it is so that we can exercise our faith and see His hand when He answers. "Behold, ye have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when ye took no thought save it was to ask me.....Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive..." Doctrine & Covenants 6:5, 9:7

Hangin' with the fam...

Girls Night In...

My sister and sister-in-laws have decided it's time to start a monthly Girls Night... We had so much fun at the Women's Broadcast back in October, it was time to do something again... I hosted a girls night at my home complete with foot massages, facials and fondue. It was a lot of fun! Mom and Em didn't make it... :( But we'll be sure to do it again!!!